Rachel Lynn Matthews (born October 25, 1993) is an American actress who gained wide recognition for her performance as Danielle Bouseman in the horror-comedy film Happy Death Day and its sequel. Her early film work placed her in a popular modern take on the slasher genre, and she later expanded into voice work and television roles.
Early life and family
Matthews was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She comes from a family with ties to the entertainment industry: her mother is actress Leslie Landon. Matthews' upbringing in a show-business household shaped her familiarity with film and television from a young age and informed her decision to pursue acting professionally.
Career and notable roles
Matthews' breakout came when she was cast as Danielle Bouseman in the 2017 feature Happy Death Day, directed by Christopher Landon. She reprised the role in the sequel, Happy Death Day 2U (2019). Both films mixed slasher elements with dark humor and were commercially successful relative to their budgets, raising Matthews' profile in genre films.
Beyond the Happy Death Day films, Matthews has worked in animation and television. She contributed voice work to the animated feature Frozen II, and she has appeared in television series including Batwoman and the adaptation of Looking for Alaska. Her roles demonstrate versatility across horror, family animation, and serialized drama.
Selected film and television credits
- Happy Death Day (2017) — Danielle Bouseman
- Happy Death Day 2U (2019) — Danielle Bouseman
- Frozen II (2019) — voice role
- Batwoman — guest appearance
- Looking for Alaska — television appearance
Matthews has frequently collaborated with director Christopher Landon, who is also a relative, and this partnership helped launch her screen career. Her performances in genre films have been noted for blending affability with an ability to play darker or more antagonistic characters.
Personal life and public health disclosure
In March 2020, during the global coronavirus outbreak, Matthews publicly announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19. She shared information about her experience to raise awareness and later discussed her recovery in interviews and on social media. Matthews continues to work across film and television while maintaining a relatively private personal life.
Her career remains active, with fans and critics watching for new projects that build on her early success in both live-action and voice roles.
More on Matthews' career | Los Angeles roots | California background | Happy Death Day | Happy Death Day 2U | Frozen II | COVID-19 statement